Repair Tools for Soft Plastics

[Big-O]

Considering Soft Plastics, if we're in a heavy bite on a particular bait and/or color, we can quickly run out of them due to tearing, bored out hook holes etc. Glues work well for some but my favorite tools for repairing them is a wind resistant lighter and a heavy guage paper clip. Melting softies back together when possible retains their softness and elasticity. Also the newer wind resistant flame lighters heat the plastic quickly and cause much less discoloring and/or burning smells.

1) Straighten out half of the the paper clip and use the other half as a handle.

2) Heat the last inch of the straightened end of the clip and insert it into a bored out hole, remove and lightly squeeze together.

3) Tears in the bodies can be repaired by opening the tear as much as possible then applying a quick flame to it. After it starts to melt, lightly squeeze it together or press with wet cloth.

4) Cool the bait by by dipping it in water.

5) Many torn appendages can be repaired in this fashion and still retain their natural action.

A small peice of tin foil to do the repairs on also helps to avoid a possible mess. The longer the repair gets to set, the firmer it gets and longer it will last. I keep this group of tools in a zip lock baggie.

These little hints might help us to stay in the bite a little longer and/or keep our confidence level up by continuing to use our favorite bait.

Many who have fished with me have seen me do this often and I alway keep my wounded Baits, just for this reason

Hope this helps

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Added that one to my favorites. Never thought about the paper clip. I've gotta get my hands on one of those torch lighters again. Maybe this time I won't lose it.

Good post, Big-O.

[fishinflip415]

Just get yourself some mend-it and you won't have to carry around so many tools. It works great and will save you alot of money and hastle.  8-)

[CanalStalkin]

Just get yourself some mend-it and you won't have to carry around so many tools. It works great and will save you alot of money and hastle. 8-)

I think the flame/paper clip method would be even easier,cheaper and less messy than mend-it

[Big-O]

Just get yourself some mend-it and you won't have to carry around so many tools. It works great and will save you alot of money and hastle. 8-)

I think the flame/paper clip method would be even easier,cheaper and less messy than mend-it

Mend it works well in some situations and I keep it on hand as well, but rarely use it where soft texture and flexibility is an issue.

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[Big Bait Fishing]

Just get yourself some mend-it and you won't have to carry around so many tools. It works great and will save you alot of money and hastle. 8-)

I think the flame/paper clip method would be even easier,cheaper and less messy than mend-it

Mend it works well in some situations and I keep it on hand as well, but rarely use it where soft texture and flexibility is an issue.Big O

www.ragetail.com

mend-it does not leave your bait brittle but just as soft as the plastic you are mending . you must be confused with Pro's soft bait glue (overpriced super glue !!!!)

[I.rar]

this reminds me , i have a baggie full of torn and beat up plastics ive been meaning to fix. ive been thinking about picking up some of that super glue gel but was concerned about it being rock hard when it dries and cures.

good stuff  8-).

[Uncle Leo]

Now that there is going to save me a boat load of money, thanks Steve! Now I have to remeber to save my old baits.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

I do all this too as well as use mend-it faithfully. I save an insane amount of money.

One more thing as for fixing appendages and such. I take a very slender scrap piece of plastic or just make one with scissors. I then heat the end of it and use it as sort of a welding stick and outline the edges like using a pencil to firmly seal appendages/tails and such on.

[ClarkGriswald]

I have a big problem with the tail on the RageShad tearing in the joint how will this effect the action on them? 

[Big-O]

On the Rage Shad, you can repair the tail by melting it back together but with the amount of torque there is on the tail during fishing, the repair will not last long. Probably 1 fish. 

Your cast is very important making sure not to whip the tip too much on repaired baits 

Big O

www.ragetail.com 

[SoFlaBassAddict]

If there is one drawback to the Shad, thats it.  Any bulkier of a piece of plastic in that spot and it would kill the action of the tail though.  Like he said, just don't whip it out there as hard.

[.ghoti.]

Used to use a similar method. I carried a scratch awl and a lighter. I liked the awl because of the big plastic knob handle. Didn't got too hot to hang onto.

A tip: don't put the awl back in your pocket after repairing a bait. Don't ask how I know this. You know what I did.  :'(

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Used to use a similar method. I carried a scratch awl and a lighter. I liked the awl because of the big plastic knob handle. Didn't got too hot to hang onto.

A tip: don't put the awl back in your pocket after repairing a bait. Don't ask how I know this. You know what I did. :'(

Dare I comment?

[fourbizz]

http://www.electronix.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/331_332/products_id/19547

I use something like this on the water.

[EastTexasBassin]

I repaired a couple dozen ragetail shads and eeliminators the other day. I usually put my torn baits in a big ziplock throughout the day and repair them when I get home, but I hadn't thought to repair them on the water. That would come in handy if I ran out of a color and wasn't getting hits on any other color.

I need to get one of those torch lighters.

[senile1]

Thanks for the useful tips, Big-O!